Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Music Program

The Bachelor of Music (Honours) program at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory is a four-year full-time undergraduate degree that focuses on nurturing artistic identity and engaging with the broader ecosystem to give music greater resonance. With a limited enrollment of 55 students each year from Singapore, Asia, and around the world, each student receives individualized attention to help shape their distinctive artistic identity.

Program Structure

The program is driven by two key aims: nurturing artistic identity and engaging the broader ecosystem. The four years are envisioned in terms of overlapping spheres of activity that inform and enrich each other. The act of listening connects and opens up new meaning in musical journeys.

The Major Study

The major forms the core of the Bachelor of Music program and builds specialized expertise in one of 20 areas, including instrumental performance, piano, voice, composition, audio arts and sciences, music and society, and music, collaboration, and production. Students receive one-to-one instruction with close guidance from faculty, alongside core and elective class and ensemble options.

Electives

While the major forms the core of the program, artistic identity is also reflected in and developed through educational choices. A significant part of the program involves students building their own portfolio of additional courses from within the Conservatory and across the National University of Singapore (NUS), depending on their capacities and preferences.

Music Studies

Courses in analysis and composition, and contextual studies are designed to broaden and deepen each student's connection to music. Following introductory courses, students have considerable freedom to pursue subjects according to their interests and future directions.

Collaborative Activity

Outside of solo practice, students engage in collaborative activity with peers through ensemble music-making, community engagement, and professional integration projects, as well as self-curated initiatives. Collaborative platforms include the Conservatory Orchestra, OpusNovus, and the Collaboratory.

Professional Integration

Professional Integration courses help students develop core professional, pedagogical, and communication skills and define their distinct pathways outside of the Conservatory.

University Requirements

General Education courses, collectively offered by various faculties in NUS, aim to develop well-rounded knowledge. Conservatory students take courses across diverse areas of study beyond their major to develop well-rounded knowledge.

Second Major Outline

The YST Second Major Outline requires a minimum of 48 MCs, including:

• Major Requirements (min. 20 MCs):
  • Capstone (min 6 MCs)
  • Major Study (min 14 MCs - level 2000 and above)
• Music Studies Requirement (12 MCs):
  • MUH1101 Foundations for Musical Discovery (4 MCs)
  • MUT1101 Introduction to Musical Concepts & Materials (4 MCs)
  • 1 Contextual music module (4 MCs)
• Music Elective Requirements (16 MCs):
  • 4 other music modules at 2000 level or above (16 MCs) Note: Music Studies and Music Elective requirements can be double-counted up to 16 MCs total (4 modules).